Check-ups, Creatinine, and Celebrating!

Today Sara and I made the trip to Madison for our 4.5 month visit.  We both had lab work and check-ups and Sara also needed to have an MRI for a study she is taking part in.  Sara's appointment was done before mine.  She came out with a smile on her face and told me that her creatinine level was 1.1.  That is the lowest she can ever remember it being since she has been treated for kidney disease!  I was amazed!  But what came next was even more incredible.  I went in for my appointment and met with the nurse practitioner.  (I have graduated from surgeon to NP now -- must mean I am doing fine!).  She was reviewing my labs with me and told me that my creatinine was 1.11.  I said, "wow, that is what my recipient's was today too".  Sara had told me hers was 1.1, but I wasn't sure what her "third digit" was.  I couldn't wait to get out of the appointment and ask her.  After I was done and all checked out I returned to the waiting room and asked Sara what her exact numbers were.  She referenced her results sheet and...you guessed it...it was 1.11!!  For a fleeting second I thought maybe the lab had mixed up our blood :-)  But, as has so often been the case, I know that God has His hand in the whole process.  There is no such thing as coincidence.  This was all meant to be.  Although a "normal" person has creatinine of under 1.0, the health care providers are very happy with both of us being at this level.  I also was able to see Chris, my coordinator, while I was there.  She and I hugged and talked about how far we have come together.  She has been my go-to person through it all and I am eternally grateful for her patience, answers, and cheerful disposition!  Sara and I celebrated with a trip to Chili's and a little shopping at the Dells outlet mall on the way home.

As Christmas quickly approaches I was thinking back on the blessings of this past year.  I could not imagine last Christmas what this year would have in store for me.  On December 22nd, 2010 Mike and I were at UW having my donor work-up done.  I had no idea that within the year Lonnie would have a kidney and Craig, Sara, and Ashlyn(and all of their family and friends) would come into our lives.  How blessed I am!

Sara's benefit plans are coming along beautifully.  The benefit will be held from noon to 10 p.m. at the Marshfield Fairgrounds Jr. Expo building on Saturday, February 4th.  There will be food, beverages, raffles, music and much, much more!  There is even a raffle for a one week stay in a beautiful home in Wales!  Please mark your calendars and plan to come by!  It promises to be a great time!

Almost Three Months Now

This coming Friday will mark three months since Sara and I had our transplant surgery.  The time has gone so quickly.  I just cannot believe it has been that long.  We are both feeling great!  I only have two lasting effects that I can really pinpoint.  One is mild tenderness to touch in the abdomen.  This is very minor and does not really bother me at all.  The second is much more concerning -- I have lost my ability to stay up really late!  Well, actually I can stay up late, but once I crawl into bed and try to read I am fast asleep quickly.  Mike has had to take my Kindle out of my hand more than once after I am zonked out!  This is a small tragedy since staying up late is a family trait that goes back many generations(well, at least as far as my grandma!).  Luckily the fine folks at UW did warn me about this before surgery, and they reassured me that I should have the ability back within 6 months to a year!  

Today I got a wonderful email from Sara.  Her creatinine level is 1.3.  She said this is the lowest it has been in 10 years!  I almost cried.  I was so happy!  UW has taken away one of her medications and decreased her lab appointments to once per week.  Big accomplishments!  Saturday night we had dinner with Craig, Sara, and Ashlyn.  Sara doesn't know this yet(although she will when she reads this!), but when she left the table to use the bathroom I asked Craig if she really feels as good as what she tells me she does.  I always worry that she won't tell me if something is wrong.  Craig told me that just the other day she told him that this is the best she can remember ever feeling.  Again...felt like crying.  Knowing that Sara's health has improved so much makes me feel so incredible.  I just love it!!  Sara is flying out to San Francisco with her friends Teri and Angie this weekend.  Teri and Angie were there with her for the surgery back in July and this trip had to be delayed from their original plan of August.  I am so glad they can now go when Sara's health is improved.  I just know they will have a great time!!

One final note: Sara's family and friends have started planning a benefit to assist Craig and Sara with expenses related to the transplant.  They do have insurance, but there are so many expenses that you don't even think of with this type of journey.  The benefit is planned for Saturday, February 4th from noon until 10 p.m. at the Junior Fair Building on the Marshfield Fairgrounds.  You are ALL invited to attend!  I will have more information about details as the event gets closer.  I also would ask that you consider whether you could donate anything to this cause.  We had a planning meeting last week and are in need of gift baskets(for silent auction), raffle prizes, baked goods, $$, and just about anything else you think would be helpful!  If you have anything you or your business would like to contribute we would gladly take it!  We would also take any volunteer help for that day!  Or, of course, you can just come as a guest and hopefully take home lots of prizes, eat a yummy meal or two, bid on fun items, and enjoy the day! You can contact me at drjdillon@gmail.com if you have any donations or suggestions for the day.  (That is the end of my shameless plug for help :-) )

I have said it before, but it never hurts to repeat myself: God is good -- ALL THE TIME!!

Back to Reality

Tomorrow it will be 6 weeks since Sara and I had surgery.  That milestone is exciting, but it also means I have to go back to work!  Fortunately, I do love my job so the thought of going back is probably worse than actually going back.  Tomorrow also marks an important day for our kids -- back to school!  Josh will be in 7th grade at Alexander Middle School.  As much as he would prefer not having to go to the actual classes, he does love the social aspect of school.  Isaiah will be in 4th grade so this is his first year at AMS.  He is looking forward to getting out of the elementary school and into the big school.  Mike decided before my surgery that his new job was not what he was looking for so he called his former boss at UMR and asked if they would take him back.  Jeff(his boss) was thrilled to hear he wanted to come back and they are welcoming him with open arms.  Fortunately being in between jobs allowed him to take the past 6 weeks off with me and the kids.  I must say that the time we all spent together in these past several weeks was just priceless.  Last week I asked each of my kids separately if they were glad that their dad and I both got to be with them so much this summer.  They each said "yes, it was great!".  I am so thankful that they still enjoy being with us!

Today Sara went to UW to have a routine biopsy and blood work done.  The biopsy showed NO signs of rejection by the kidney!  Wonderful news indeed!  As soon as they get the lab results back she will hopefully be able to have some of her medications decreased.  Poor girl takes a small meal's worth of medications every day.  She knows it is just what she has to do, but I am quite sure it gets old very quickly!  The other super news is that Sara was able to have her dialysis line removed the week before last!  That line created so many headaches for her and I am so thankful that the doctors are confident that she will no longer need it.

So this is it -- the "end" of my recovery.  For the most part I feel really good.  Of course I have been whining to Mike that it seems like my abdominal swelling is never going to go away.  So he asked me the other day, "What if they told you before surgery that you would always have a bit more of a stomach than you originally did?  Would you still have done it?"  Great perspective smart husband of mine!  That is a no-brainer for me.  YES!  Of course I would have still done it.  What I am complaining about now is so minimal compared to what Sara has gone through.  Physical changes are so minor when you have your health!

Feeling unbelievably blessed!!